Photos by Samantha Jane Beatty
Styling by Kate Stukenberg
Grooming by Tonya Riner for Page Parkes Agency
Models Madison Johnston for Wallflower Management and Jake Atterberry for Page Parkes Agency
Photo assistance by John Lewis
Styling assistance by Molly Jodeit
Men’s styling consulting by Cody Sever
and Whitney Wiggins for M Penner
Shot on location at Hotel Alessandra in Downtown
Tell us about athletic recovery and why it’s important? Athletic recovery is a must for anyone who's active, whether a weekend warrior or a seasoned athlete. It's about helping your body bounce back stronger, repairing muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving flexibility so you can avoid injuries and keep doing what you love. Being married to a pro athlete — former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson — has really opened my eyes to how important recovery is. It's not just about physical performance, it's about overall well-being too.
Do you offer treatments for physical stress, such as muscle tension or joint pain, related to recovery? Tell us about them. We’ve curated an entire lineup of treatments designed to melt away stress and help your body recover:
The Trifecta combines heat therapy to increase blood flow and relax muscles, deep tissue massage and percussion to target knots and trigger points, and active stretching to improve flexibility and range of motion.
Consider Massage Therapy. Choose from a wide range of massages to help ease muscle tension, boost circulation, and target specific issues.
In Normatec Compression Therapy, air compression is used in this unique treatment to improve blood flow, reduce swelling, and help muscle recovery.
Our infrared HaloIR Salt Sauna is like a magic eraser for stress and pain, helping detoxify the body, reduce inflammation, and relieve muscle and joint pain. Plus, the added salt therapy boosts respiratory function and does wonders for your skin!
Can you provide services to help manage emotional stress and anxiety associated with recovery? How? We know that recovery isn't just physical; it's mental and emotional too. That's why we offer services to help guests unwind and de-stress. These include Guided Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions, as well as Aromatherapy, using pure essential oils. Also, Quiet Transitional Spaces help prepare mind and body to make the most of your spa treatment experience.
Are there any treatments that can help with sleep disturbances common in recovery? Which ones specifically and how do they help? Yes! Recovery Relaxation Massage with Arnica and Magnesium is like a lullaby for your body and mind, enhanced with arnica — a natural anti-inflammatory that soothes sore muscles and magnesium — to relax muscles and promote better sleep.
CBD Enhancement can really help. The proven calming and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD help ease anxiety and promote tranquility, making it easier to drift off to sleep.
Unique to our day spa experience is our Escape Ritual Bath Circuit — sauna, jacuzzi, and revitalizing chiller bucket shower circuit. This kind of contrast bathing experience has been proven over centuries in a range of cultures to relax muscles, reduce stress, and promote better sleep.
How do you create a welcoming and comfortable environment for male guests? First, it's a matter of Ambiance. The spa’s refined aesthetic feels sophisticated and inviting, without being overly feminine or fussy.
Also, we pride ourselves on Personalized Service. Our therapists are not only experts in their respective fields, but they’re also skilled at putting clients at ease, and tailoring treatments to individual needs and preferences.
We Focus on Results. We understand that men prefer a results-oriented approach, so Escape treatments are designed to deliver specific benefits, whether alleviating muscle tension, reducing stress, improving sleep, or enhancing overall well-being.
Do you have any specific policies or procedures in place to ensure privacy and comfort for men? Beyond separate changing areas for men and women, our therapists are trained to be discreet and respectful of personal space and privacy.
How do you address any concerns or discomfort a male guest may have about receiving spa treatments? Our therapists are trained to discuss any concerns a guest might have before and during their treatment, making sure they feel comfortable, relaxed, and renewed.
The sauna at Escape Spa
The Escape Ritual Bath Circuit includes sauna, jacuzzi, and revitalizing chiller bucket shower.
Lynn Wyatt and Steve Wyatt
“Entering the cocktail space, guests were welcomed by décor inspired by the Roaring Twenties,” noted an MFA rep. “A black and gold custom bar, with large-scale white feather centerpieces, added to the supper club feel. Guests sipped Old Fashioneds and Manhattans as specialty cocktails, as they enjoyed the David Caceres jazz trio.”
At dinner in Cullinan Hall, the 40-foot walls were draped from floor to ceiling in lush hunter green velvet with glinting gold details. “Framed LED screens adorned the walls, showcasing important figures and friends from the MFAH’s long history,” added rep, who went on to note the white and green florals, crystal centerpieces, and mirrored tabletops. Some of the dramatic chandeliers twinkling overhead 15 feet tall. Guests seated in the balcony for the more-than-sold-out event had a birds-eye view of the Art Deco-inspired scene.
Dinner began with chilled poached lobster salad before moving on to beef tenderloin and finally crème brulee with fresh berries. “MFAH trustees Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs, and Sara and Bill Morgan, generously donated wine from Aperture, their award-winning winery in Sonoma County,” explained the rep. During dinner, MFAH gala fae Brandon Wattz of L.A. crooned for guests, who also enjoyed a thematic dance performance by Astarte Creative. The beautiful and glam DJ Kiss spun dance tunes for after-dinner revelers.
As part of the record $5.5 million till, Jan and J. Venn Leeds made a $2 million gift to establish and endowment to provide funding for the Grand Gala each year in perpetuity.
During its 100 years, MFAH has grown from its original space in a small house to having a 14-acre main campus, plus two house museums and gardens. Its collection has grown from a modest 60 works of art to about 80,000 pieces today.
VIPs spotted in the crowd include museum honcho Gary Tinterow, Margaret Alkek Williams, Anne S. Duncan and Moti Ferder of principal underwriter Lugano. Grand Gala Ball. Other notables included Lynn Wyatt, Jim and Whitney Crane, Denise Wynne, Cherie and Jim Flores, Franci Neely, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Tina and Joe Pyne, Pershant and Nidhika Mehta, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees, Jay Jones, Terry Wayne Jones; Aliyya Stude, and Cynthia and Tony Petrello.
Scott and Judy Nyquist
Renu and Suresh Khator
Phoebe Tudor
A toast to 100 years
Brandon Wattz performs.
Margaret Alkek Williams
Keefer Lehner, Daniel Zilkha and Rohan Shetty
John Eddie Williams, DJ Kiss and Sheridan Williams
Cynthia and Tony Petrello
Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin
Hushang and Shahla Ansary
Lisa Dodd, Logan Dresser and Maria Stavinoha
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Josh Gaynor, Stuart Winston and Idit Ferder
Guest gifts
Feather dancers perform.
Durga and Sushila Agrawal
David and Heidi Gerger and Chinhui and Eddie Allen
Dancie Ware
Claire and Eric Anyah
Brad and Leslie Bucher
Bill and Andrea White
Barron and Lisa Wallace
Alicia Lohman and Felix Pacheco
Bashar and Brigitte Kalai, and Alicia and Lance Smith
Formerly called Sing for Hope and launched by Avenue antecedent organization Bering Omega, the music-savvy gala has been on hiatus for nearly a decade. With dynamic chairs Alicia Smith and Brigitte Kalai, and with Amerapex as presenting sponsor, the event came roaring back — under the twinkling chandeliers of the country club’s ballroom. A crowd of about 200, many of them boldface names from the society set, helped raise $215,000 for Omega House.
An rep for event organizers called Omega House “a pioneering residential hospice providing compassionate care to terminally ill AIDS patients since its founding in 1986 as Texas’ first such haven,” adding that “many dedicated Omega House volunteers and supporters joined in the celebration, underscoring the community’s ongoing commitment to Avenue 360’s mission.”
Musical performances included those by the HSPVA choir, handsome blues crooner Luke Whitney and powerhouse America’s Got Talent semifinalist (and registered nurse!) Christina Wells, who belted out crowd pleasers like “Natural Woman.” Emcee Deborah Duncan of TV, also a singer, joined Wells in a rousing “We Are Family” rendition.
Lovely soaring florals by H-E-B and table linens by Kirksey Gregg filled every table, but the most beautiful moment of the evening might have been when famous PaperCity society scribe Shelby Hodge gave the staycation she’d won at the raffle to performer Wells as a surprise gift. Wells will enjoy a weekend driving a Porshe and luxuriating in style, thanks to Porshe River Oaks, Porshe West Houston and The Post Oak Hotel.
Other raffle prizes included dazzling earrings by Nini Jewels, a custom necklace by Wayne Smith Jewels donated by co-chair Kalai, and a shopping spree at Tootsie’s. Nearly as delicious as the luxurious raffle, dinner was a rich surf and turf of steak and seabass with the country club’s famous pecan balls — ice cream rolled in chopped nuts and doused in sauces of chocolate and caramel — for dessert.
Ken Bohan, longtime board member and generous donor, was presented with the Harmony of the Heart award. “Omega House Medical Director Gus Krucke, Director of Dental Services Mark Nichols and Omega House Director Sandy Stacy were honored with the Symphony of Service Award,” noted the Avenue rep, “with Stacy receiving a standing ovation for her 30 years of service.”
Organization President and CEO Charlene Flash, who drew comparisons to Tina Turner in her chic, leggy cobalt mini dress, remarked: “This year’s Voices for Hope event enables us to continue the essential work of Omega House, ensuring that those facing terminal illness find comfort and dignity in their final days.”
Spotted in the crowd: Lance Smith, Bashar Kalai, Fady Armanious, Beth Wolff, Tony Bradfield, Leisa Holland Nelson, Farida Abjani, Omar and Maria Moncada Alaoui, Steve Spencer, Jody Merritt, Christine Johnson, Michele Till, Anna Reger, Mandy Kao, Mark Folkes, Christopher Johnston, Brandon Weinbrenner, Mitchell Greco, Sonny Garza, Todd Ramos, Scott Evans, Aaron Matthews, and, just days ahead of their Mexican destination wedding, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees.
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Omar and Maria Moncada Alaoui
Fady Armanious and Tony Bradfield
Luke Whitney
Kristen Cannon, Beth Muecke and Kelly Anzilotti
Alex Kalai, Bashar Kalai, Brigitte Kalai and Remy Kalai
Shelby Hodge surprises crowd in gifting staycation package she'd won in the raffle to singer Christina Wells.
Mark Folkes, Christopher Johnston, Mitchell Greco and Brandon Weinbrenner
Mandy Kao and Ana Reger
Deborah Duncan, Brigitte Kalai, Dr. Charlene Flash and Alicia Smith
Scott Evans, Leisa Holland Nelson and Aaron Matthews
Nini Hale and Sylvia Forsythe
Rusty and Sue Burnett, Ken Bohan and Ann Deaton
Ashley Tse, Stephanie Nielsen, Michele Till, Alex Blair and Sandra Smith-Cooper
Brent and Lara Bell
Ghada Ali, Steve Spencer and Jody Merritt and Christine Johnson
Todd Ramos, Omar Alaoui, Lance Smith and Jeff Gremillion